Waterloo Arts Fest
This arts festival actually gives you the chance to be an artist. After you’ve been inspired by the artwork being sold on the street or hanging in the Waterloo District galleries (most open to the public this Saturday), try your hand at making some of your own. With Waterloo Arts Fest’s interactive, all-ages experiences, you can weave with popsicle sticks and yarn, finish up a street artist’s sketchbook creations with DayGlo paint or make a button to pin to your bag. Then you can be a spectator again and watch artist demos, roving performers or more than 40 local bands and storytellers take the stage. Free, June 24, noon-7 p.m., Waterloo Road between E. 161st Street and Calcutta Avenue, Cleveland, waterlooarts.org
Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest
You don’t have to walk the plank but you do have to take a ferry to South Bass Island to get your fix of pirate culture at this ninth annual fest. All weekend pirates invade the island (you might even have the opportunity to tour a boat), blast their cannons and lead a treasure hunt. Come in your best Jack Sparrow get-up for the costume contest. The top prize is a trip for two to the Cayman Islands. Free, June 23-25, 148 Delaware Ave., Village of Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, pyratefest.org
The Garage
There’s a lot more in this “garage” than just cars and old bicycles. The Garage, a new series by Glo Cleveland, offers a hip multisensory experience that showcases urban art in all forms. Get an eyeful of Kevin Jackson’s acclaimed light displays, graphic illustrations and photography by local artists Jordan Arnell and Beezi Customs, and fashion designs by Caij Milan. Also listen to several local DJs and hip-hop performers while you’re noshing on food and drinks. One thing is similar to your average garage: You enter this bash by the roll-up door — only this one has a vibrant, bright orange, blue and yellow mural splashed on it. $10-15, June 23, 6 p.m.-midnight, 2460 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, glocleveland.com
Akron Honey Market Day
You don’t have to feel guilty about splurging when you know your cash is headed to a company with a mission for good. That’s the idea behind Akron Honey’s Market Day. Akron Honey handpicks vendors with a demonstrated commitment to treating customers with kindness and to spreading positivity with their products, which range from urban honey to bath products to vegan treats. So make the trip to Akron this weekend and treat yourself to that Garrett Candle Co. soy-based creations or Popsmith artisan ice pops — all for a great cause. Free, June 25, 1-5 p.m., 1045 Jefferson Ave., Akron, akronhoney.com
Liberty Rocks
It may still be June but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start your Fourth of July festivities. This Sunday, Crocker Park is showing its patriotism by hosting some great American performers—and they’re all from Cleveland. Local bands, St. Edward High School’s percussion group and even magician extraordinaire Rick Smith Jr. warm up the stage for the final act: blues-rock band Welshly Arms. Of course, the night caps with fireworks. It wouldn’t be a true Independence Day celebration without them. Free, June 25, 3-10 p.m., 228 Market St., Westlake, crockerpark.com